We should picture Jesus driving out those animals.

St. Peer wrote, “Do
not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something
strange were happening. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the
sufferings of Christ.”

Often we hear people selling religious conversions as a way
of avoiding life’s troubles, but Peter says that is wrong. Our sufferings are a
necessary part of our becoming like Jesus.

To understand the Gospel’s account of cleansing the temple,
we must picture the temple compound as it was then. The inner part, with the Holy
of Holies, surrounded by the courtyard of the priests, was hidden inside high
walls. It, in turn was surrounded by the Courtyard of Israel

With the altar that was just a large barbecue pit.

(The only surviving part of the temple where Jesus
worshipped is a gateway in the wall surrounding that Courtyard od Israel. It
bears a sign warning any non-Jew with instant death if he enters the Courtyard
of Israel.)

All; of that was the sacred part of the temple. It was
surrounded on three sides by the Courtyard of the Gentiles. It was there that
the rulers of the temple ran a lucrative business, selling animals for sacrifices.
They customarily judged as unfit any bird or ox or lamb people brought for
sacrifice, selling them what they deemed fit. The temple also rejected Roman
coins for offerings, and they exchanged fit Temple coins for them at a profit.

When I did this story with my Seventh Grade class each year,
I made great show of improvising a whip, and lashing imaginary herds out the
temple gates. I ended the show each year by upturning my desk with a great Heave
Ho! That sent my books, pencils and notebooks
flying.